1
as in collision
a forceful coming together of two things
the whole railway platform shook from the shock of the two trains colliding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in astonishment
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
were in shock after they heard the news of the death of the president
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to appal
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
Mom was shocked by the terrible news that her cousin had died in an accident I was shocked to find out that I was the victim of identity theft
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to surprise
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
were shocked by the way the law against public intoxication was constantly being broken
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to scare
to strike with fear
the sudden appearance of the ghost shocked us to the core
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shock
Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2025
To the shock of America’s allies, Mr. Vance traveled to the Munich Security Conference two weeks ago and said nothing about assuring that any armistice or cease-fire would come with security guarantees for Ukraine, or about Russia paying any price for its invasion.
—David E. Sanger, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Simone McCarthy, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
The overhaul plan shocked SSA workers in the Kansas City area, prompting many to weigh their future at the agency.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shock
Noun
Zero Day ended with a shock when Robert De Niro‘s politician did the right thing.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2025
To the shock of America’s allies, Mr. Vance traveled to the Munich Security Conference two weeks ago and said nothing about assuring that any armistice or cease-fire would come with security guarantees for Ukraine, or about Russia paying any price for its invasion.
—David E. Sanger, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
Washington’s pivot toward Moscow has not only shocked European allies but left open an opportunity for Beijing to push back against longstanding criticism of its close ties with Moscow, which have only expanded since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
The overhaul plan shocked SSA workers in the Kansas City area, prompting many to weigh their future at the agency.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shock
Noun
-
Sheriff’s deputies are searching for a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run collision that seriously injured a motorcyclist Saturday night.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
-
The researchers estimate the space rock responsible for the crater was traveling at 36,000 kilometers per hour, with the collision scattering debris across the planet.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Confidential and Memento, Pearce is, to the astonishment of many, celebrating his very first Oscar nomination this year, with his terrifying supporting turn in The Brutalist.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2025
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In her episode, Roan recreates the cover of her 2023 album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, all while going long about her influences and her astonishment at her meteoric rise to stardom.—
James Factora,
Them,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Again, no one should be surprised by Wednesday’s announcement.—
Bill McKibben,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The announcement did not surprise the market given Trump had previously alluded to the move, during discussion of his upcoming 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium, Piotr Ortonowski, head of copper market analysis at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, told CNBC.—
Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In 2023, a bear barged into a bakery in Avon, scared employees and helped itself to 60 cupcakes before ambling away.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2025
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Wise infuses a nurturing maturity and vulnerability in Nicole that scares Roger, and challenges him to confront his unhealthy relationship habits and general indecisiveness.—
Morgan A. Grain,
Essence,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The new electrically released adhesive makes removing the battery easier because it can be done with a jolt of electricity rather than fumbling with sticky strips, which can snap before the battery is released.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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Thursday's midday jolt came when Trump put firm dates on more tariffs.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
After two years, to their amazement, electricity to the village had been restored.—
Scott Peterson,
The Christian Science Monitor,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Several years ago, many of us shared amazement when the State’s current owners, Red and Linda McMonagle, reopened the movie house after an extensive remodeling.—
Doug Hanneman,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Dismay or appall you, sure, but never surprise you.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
-
That kind of appalls me to think that people need not expect that of themselves.—
David Marchese Photograph by Mamadi Doumbouya,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2024
Verb
-
What amazed me was that Zeah was already on home detention for a rack of serious criminal charges.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Feb. 2025
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The Chiefs didn’t amaze us on an every-game basis, not really, anyway.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
14 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to shock
Cite this Entry
“Shock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shock. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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